Tuesday, March 1, 2011

WWF’s Earth Hour is a global campaign inspiring governments, businesses, communities and individuals to take a stand against climate change. It is the largest environment campaign in the history of our planet, successfully uniting the world towards taking collective action by switching off non essential lights for one hour in celebration of our planet.

Earth Hour was launched in Sydney, Australia in 2007, where 2.2 million individuals and more than 2,000 businesses turned their lights off for one hour. Just a year later, Earth Hour reached 370 cities and towns in more than 35 countries across 18 time zones, and the campaign shifted from a ‘Sydney Event’ to a ‘Global Sustainability Movement’. Since then, every year Earth Hour sets new standards and breaks its own records on mass participation and support. 2010 received participation from a record 1.3 billion individuals across 4616 cities in 128 countries globally. Notable landmarks like Acropolis in Greece, Eiffel Tower in Paris, Hiroshima Peace Gardens in Japan, and Pyramids in Egypt switched off in support.

Earth Hour in IndiaIndia joined the Earth Hour movement in 2009, where 5 million Indians across 56 cities showed their support by switching off non essential lights and saving approximately 1000 MW of power in that one hour. Hundreds on educational institutions, 100 top public and private sector organizations, and governments of various cities participated.

With support from all sections of the society, industry and government, Earth Hour in India reached new heights, with 2010 receiving participation from 6 million Indian across 128 cities. 600,000 students from different institutions and cities volunteered to spread the message of earth hour and increase outreach. 120 top private and public organizations participated. Well known buildings in 125 cities, banks, local cafes, official residence of Chief Ministers, nation’s defence institutions like Indian Military Academy switched off in support.

Recognizing the success and impact of the campaign, Earth Hour was nominated for NDTV Greenies Awards 2010. It also bagged the ‘WOW Paradigm of the Year’ award for the best social campaign.

Earth Hour 2011Earth Hour continues to be a global call to action to every individual, every business and every community. A call to stand up, to show leadership and be responsible for our future. At 8:30 PM on 26 March 2011, the world will come together once again to switch off for an hour. But this year, we aim to move beyond symbolism. We call for your action to sustain commitments and responsible actions beyond the hour. With your support, we hope to make Earth Hour a self- perpetuating drive that inspires us to correct the way we live, every single day.

So SWITCH OFF for one hour

PLUS

SWITCH ON a low carbon lifestyle

Together our actions add up

Earth Hour 2011 provides a platform:

•For Individuals to take initiatives that benefit the environment. •For Organizations to demonstrate responsible action and announce their commitment to reduce their impact on the environment.•For Governments to show leadership on environmental issues.Your support has made earth hour the largest global campaign in the history of the planet. There is no better example of the impact of collective human power and what we can achieve if we unite for a cause. It is time we take our actions forward, and commit to greater change.